Mushroom in Food and Nutrition Security : Syeda Tasnim Jannat

Bangladesh is a small country with vast population.It is always struggling to supply enough food to meet the demand of its ever increasing population and decreasing cultivable land and other resources.

It is really a divine blessing that that self sufficiency in cereal grain has been achieved in Bangladesh.But self sufficiency of food grain does not mean food and nutrition security.Consumption of six essential nutrients in balanced quantities by human beings may ensure food and nutrition security.The essential nutrients are carbohydrates,proteins,fats,vitamins, minerals and water.Cereal grains may have variable amounts of some amount of other nutrients in addition to carbohydrates.Remaining essential nutrients need to be collected and consumed from other food sources.the essential nutrients are responsible for performing at least one of the following functions in the human body.

1.Regulate metabolic processes.

2.Provide energy.

3.Build and repair tissues.

Judicious consumption of cereals and other carbohydrate foods,meats,milk,pulses,edible oils and fats,vegetables,minerals and water may help a person to have a healthy life.Though high level of expertise is required to ascertain deficiency or excesses of essential nutrients yet basic knowledge of nutrition is indispensable for each person for maintaining happy and productive life.

Mushroom has been added recently to the food basket of Bangladesh.Common edible mushroom contains large amount of protein,minerals and fibers in addition to some carbohydrates and fats.Its cultivation procedure is very simple.Besides, very less land is needed for its cultivation.Many male and female farmers are successfully growing mushroom after taking training from the National Mushroom Development and Extension Centre and its branches spread across Bangladesh.People are getting used to consume the delicious and nutritious mushroom foods and improving their nutrition status.

Considering the aforesaid attributes of mushroom it may be easily cultivated in large scale for ensuring food and nutrition security of the people of Bangladesh.